The maps are stored on the iPhone or iPad, and no data connection is required as they are used from the device rather than across a data connection. This has the obvious advantage that when you don't have a data connection available you're not going to lose the directions as to where you need to go. Stored within the maps are points of interest; so if you need to find a hotel it's likely to be within the app; if it's not you can search using the Bing search engine or Wikipedia. See also Group test: what's the best satnav?

You can make a phone call to points of interest directly from the app; a useful touch allowing quick and easy contact with your destination. Take a look at our TomTom app review and Google Maps app review too.

If you're exploring unfamiliar territory on foot you can set the app to walking mode. In this mode the app responds in a form useful for foot-based explorers rather than those in a car; giving pavements rather than roads.

An interesting feature is the inclusion of social network sharing, in that you can let your friends know where you are with updates via Twitter and Facebook. The only potential problem with this is that when letting you friends know via a social networking site that you're not at home you're also letting millions of people you don't know that you're not at home.

Via an in-app purchase you can upgrade to a voice-guided, turn-by-turn, navigation experience; 3d maps; Safety camera alerts; Speed limit warnings and a lane indicator. You can also purchase ActiveTraffic to get an idea of where the most traffic is at any given time.

Of these the voice-guidance and 3D option should really form a part of the basic feature set. Essentially every satnav has these within their most basic feature set, and it's a little difficult to get used to a 2D map with no voice assistance.

The basic CoPilot GPS app is okay, but a little difficult to work with without the inclusion of voice-assistance or 3D maps. The in-app purchase required for these functions isn't overly expensive, and you always have the alternative of downloading a premium version of the App, priced at £39.99, that includes the functions anyway.

Alk's CoPilot Live 7.0 software can be installed on any Windows Mobile device – pretty or not – and the chances are this device will already include many of the high-end features we expect to see in today's pricey personal navigation devices (PNDs).

Smart home- or wearable tech: which is more likely to benefit your digital life this year?

I'm more likely to buy smart home- than wearable tech this yearI'm more likely to buy wearable- than smart home tech this yearI'll probably buy both smart home- and wearable tech this yearI'm unlikely to buy smart home- or wearable tech this yearNot sure/don't know